“Thanks. I’m gonna try to keep positive, and I can only pray for the right outcome.”

They gas up at the IGA. The road is long and speechless. They fall into the Zen-like groove of wind and road, and time relaxes its hold until, as the sun begins to set, they hit the edge of Missouri. Find a hotel just before dark, get unpacked, shower. Turn on the TV, flip through the channels, and land on the local news. There smiles a familiar image. Rod, the teacher from Illinois. The newswoman interviews some students Rod had coached. They speak in glowing terms about how he had helped them, how great a coach and friend he is. A mentor. And Hunter smiles. His words had proved true—what his father had told him long ago, that good comes to good people. It is only a test of character. Thinking about it, he wonders about Blake. Perhaps learning about him, taking this journey, is a test of Hunter’s character, but he also wonders what other secrets his father took to the grave.

JACK

JACK

The smells of oil, solvents, and greased engine parts are strong enough that he can taste them in his mouth. On his tongue. His body lies flat, head twisted sideways, his neck stiff and achy. He feels the rattle and creak of the suspension with every bump. Jarring and pounding his aging body. Dry heat opens his pores. Sweat dampens and sours his clothing with fear. The fear of not knowing what has happened or what will happen. Of who these men are, what they want, and where they are taking him and Matías.

Fear presses Jack to search for answers. He whispers, “Matías, who are these people?”

“I swear to you Mr. Jack, that I have no idea,” he whispers back. “This isn’t normal.”

There’s the sawing hum of insects ramming and landing on the cloth sack over Jack’s head. Somewhere in front of him, in the cab of the truck, he listens to muffled voices arguing back and forth. It’s been going on for minutes that may have turned into hours.

Worry claws and digs in his gut, and he wants to puke. The noises and the smells sicken him. This is something he is not acquainted with. Being kidnapped. Being in pain. He has lain in the same position with his arms bound behind him for so long that a feeling of numbness is starting in his limbs, spreading like an infection to his entire body. Unable to bend or move, he feels the deadness creeping up one thigh, while a charley horse starts in the other.

In business, when there was a breakdown in communication, when problems arose, to find a solution Jack did one thing: he asked questions. He whispers to Matías, “What were you hauling in your truck?”

“It’s on the bill of lading. Chemical for the mines.”